SOARS Principal Investigator
Assistant Professor of Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences | Ned P. Smith Distinguished Chair of Meteorology | Faculty Fellow, College of Letters and Science | University of Wisconsin, Madison
Education:
PhD, Howard University, Washington, DC | Atmospheric Physics
B.S., University of Puerto Rico, Mayagüez | Theoretical Physics
Experience:
2022-Present: Tenure-Track Faculty | UW-Madison
2019-2022: Scientist Level II, NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory | Pasadena, CA
2016-2019: Postdoctoral Fellow, United States Naval Research Laboratory, Monterey, CA
2015-2016: Visiting Scientist, SUNY-Albany
2014-2015: Visiting Scientist, NOAA National Center for Environmental Prediction (NCEP), College Park, Maryland
2010-2015: Doctoral Fellow, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)
2010-2015: Core Scientist, NOAA Aerosol and Ocean Science Expeditions
2009: Student Intern, National Weather Service, San Juan, PR.
Teaching:
ATMOCN 330: Atmospheric Physics I (Thermodynamics) | ATMOCN 340 : Atmospheric Physics II (Radiation) | ATMOCN/ENVST 102: Climate and Climate Change | ATMOCN 745: Advanced Satellite Meteorology | ATMOCN XXX : Aviation and Aerospace Weather (Incoming course)
Service:
Host of the Perpetual Notion Machine, WORT FM – Madison | Faculty Co-Chair L&S Committee of Inclusive Excellence, UW-Madison | Faculty Adviser, American Meteorological Society UW-Madison Student Chapter | Chair, Membership Committee University Corporation of Atmospheric Research (UCAR) | Other million things she should not be doing but does it with her heart.
Distinguished Recognitions:
UW-Madison AOS Ned P. Smith Distinguished Chair of Meteorology (2025-2028) | University of Wisconsin-Madison Undergraduate Mentorship Award (2025) | NASA-JPL Voyager Award (2022) | NASA JPL Team Award (2021) | NASA JPL Team Award (2020) | NASA JPL Leadership Award (2020) | Governor’s Youth Leadership Medal, Government of PR (2000)
Fun Facts:
Coffee addict | Marathon runner | Aviation Enthusiast | Pilot in Training
Students:
Graduate Current: Idamis Rodriguez-Nazario, Katherine Wilson, Stefanie Kluge, Paige Bartels, Matt Oehler.
Graduate Past: Ruby W. Burgess (MS Obtained, 2024)
Undergraduate Present: Maria (Molly) McKellar (Senior), Elaine Standley (Sophomore), Jake Zagar (Junior).
Undergraduates Past: Paige Bartels, Stefanie Kluge.
URS Program (2022-2025): Manas Joshi, Natasha D’costa, Nischal Bista, Molly McKellar, Zuheb Ibrahim, Nathan Kavan, Makayla Lawrence.
Internship and Others: Niwdé Rivera-Maldonado (2023-Present), Joseph Stockwell (2025), Danasia Sproles (2024), Ashley Nilo (while at JPL), Anna Schneider (while at Howard), many others …
Research:
My research focuses on satellite remote sensing, radiative transfer, and modeling to improve understanding of severe weather and aviation hazards. I lead the SOARS (Satellite Remote Sensing for Aviation, Radiation, and Severe Weather) research group at the University of Wisconsin–Madison, where I am a faculty member in the Department of Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences.
Aviation Weather
One branch of my work centers on aviation hazards, especially atmospheric turbulence. I use satellite and reanalysis data to identify indicators of clear-air and convective turbulence, aiming to improve forecasting and risk assessment at flight levels and support safer airspace operations.
Aerosols and Severe Weather:
The second branch focuses on aerosol impacts on storm environments. I study how aerosol–cloud interactions affect storm thermodynamics and severity, with an emphasis on improving satellite-based retrievals of vertical aerosol distribution—crucial for reducing uncertainties in both weather prediction and climate assessments.
Prior to joining UW–Madison, I worked at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory, where I specialized in satellite remote sensing retrievals and their applications in severe weather monitoring, climate diagnostics, and disaster risk reduction. I also served as Deputy Director of the NASA-sponsored International GNSS Service, coordinating a global network of over 250 institutions focused on space-based positioning systems and Earth science applications.
My technical background spans multiple domains of satellite data use and field research. I’ve contributed to correcting aerosol impacts on operational sea surface temperature retrievals and advancing hyperspectral infrared data assimilation for NOAA and the U.S. Naval Research Laboratory. Additionally, I’ve conducted extensive ship-based fieldwork—spending over 200 days at sea—investigating aerosol composition, air quality, and ozone distribution over the Atlantic.
In addition to research, I am deeply committed to service and inclusive excellence. I currently serve on the National Academies’ Committee on Earth Science and Applications from Space (CESAS), and I chair the UCAR Membership Committee. At UW–Madison, I am a Faculty Fellow in the College of Letters and Science and the Faculty Co-Chair of the Committee on Inclusive Excellence. I previously served on the AMS Board on Representation, Accessibility, Inclusion, and Diversity (BRAID) and as Chair of the AMS Women Committee and I co-host “The perpetual notion machine” radio show at WORT FM in Madison.
Above all, my academic philosophy centers around purpose and people. While technological advancement is essential, lasting impact comes from collaboration, mentorship, and cultivating diverse, inclusive environments. I’m most inspired when working with students and colleagues who are passionate about science and driven to create positive change through their work.